Vascular International in Pontresina January 2012
"As every year," it could have been for the traditional courses of Vascular International from the 21 to 28 January 2012 in Pontresina! The spacious rooms of the Rondo convention center - with panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains - offered an ideal learning atmosphere for a total of 68 participants. The basic course "open and endovascular basic techniques" was particularly colorful mixed in terms of professional, national and linguistic backgrounds of the students. The master class emphasized on the "hands-on" - training using the famous aortic and carotid "Pontresina"- models. For the two intensive courses the participants, the tutors and industry partners alike appreciated the open and lively debate - which was continued at the evening social gatherings.(Pictures: Basic Course Masterclass)
Read the feedback from some participants:
 Convener Jürg Schmidli, head of vascular surgery at the University Hospital of Bern:
"The basic course teaches participants the basics of practical vascular surgery. Important for me as a teacher is teaching in stages, the possibility to observe the demonstrated operation on screen, the ongoing corrections from tutors and the quality control of vascular sutures. The course program is designed in a way to continuously increase the difficulty. The participants were very motivated, resulting in a unique atmosphere in the rehearsal room. The extremely positive feedback at the end of the course has confirmed to me that we, the team from Vascular International, are doing the right thing. "
Tutor George Heller, Vascular Surgeon, Kantonsspital Chur:
"The special feature of this course, is that you can practice real-life vascular surgical techniques. And not as it was before, without an adequate technological background. The course provides a good basis from the beginning to be applied practically in the three days using life-like models."
 Sarah Onida, surgical trainee, first year, St. Mary's Hospital London:
„I have found the course very useful to me, particularly with the theory behind and the approach to vascular anastomoses and bypass grafting. It has certainly improved my skills by allowing me to practise on actual tissue. I think it will benefit me both in getting involved in theatre as well as assisting better in terms of understanding the background behind it. The teachers were excellent. And since the course was in German, they made sure that I can understand what was going."
Christian Kovats, in general education for Surgery, Hospital "Divine Saviour" Vienna:
"My expectations for the course were fully met. I've been practicing a lot, and sewed many Anastamosen patches. What I've also learned are suture techniques, such as the end-to-end anastomosis. "
 Schwerwin Talimi, Specialist in Urology, Kantonsspital Baden:
"What has pleased me the most was the excellent atmosphere, the practical exercises and the opportunity to ask questions to many colleagues who have long been active in the profession of vascular surgery."
Hannes Hönigsperger, General Assistant Surgeon, "Lutheran Hospital" Vienna:
" I found especially great, that you can practice with the models what is particularly difficult in the real world or where you as as young surgeon are not allowed to do. Here you get the opportunity to learn new skills and make significant progress in a relatively short time."
 Mark Niemer, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, senior physician at the Hospital Right of the Isar, Munich:
"In my future I will certainly not perform many anastomoses, but the management of complications of vascular injury is also very important in our field. Practicing the fine motor skills has brought me very much profit." |
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With maximised patient safety as priority, it is the goal of the VASCULAR INTERNATIONAL Foundation and School to constantly improve vascular surgery training in order to support the safe and efficient open vascular and endovascular patient care.